Casualties unknown

Pilot Executes Go-Around After Bounced Landing, Aircraft Strikes Tree and Crosses Roadway (N4554L)

South Harpswell, ME, US

On September 4, 1989, a Grumman AA-5B (registration N4554L) operated by Star Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near South Harpswell, ME. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A DELAY BY THE PILOT IN ABORTING A LATE GO-AROUND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE FOR LANDING, HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE SUBSEQUENT BOUNCED LANDING, AND TREE(S) NEAR THE RUNWAY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During landing, the aircraft bounced several times. The pilot initiated a go-around but found the aircraft unresponsive, then cut power and steered into the overrun, where it hit a tree and crossed a road before stopping.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that during a landing attempt, the aircraft bounced multiple times. After traveling approximately one-third of the runway length, he added power to execute a go-around. However, after continuing for about two-thirds of the runway, the pilot observed that the aircraft "was not reacting to the go-around as needed." Consequently, he cut power, brought the aircraft back to the ground, and steered it toward the overrun area.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft subsequently struck a tree and crossed a roadway before coming to a stop. The event resulted in damage to the aircraft. No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, location, date, time of day, weather, or ATC involvement were provided in the source.

Aftermath

The pilot's account constitutes the entirety of the factual information available. No mention was made of injuries, fatalities, or any contributing factors beyond the pilot's description of the go-around not proceeding as expected.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29477. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.